The Tasmanian Government has passed nation-leading legislation to expand hate crime provisions, allowing judges to impose tougher penalties for offences motivated by prejudice or hate.
The new laws, unanimously passed in the Lower House on Thursday, follow recommendations made by the Sentencing Advisory Council last year.
Until now, Tasmania was the only state or territory in Australia to recognise only race-based hate crimes. The amendments to the 1997 Sentencing Act extend protections to other attributes, including sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, and religious beliefs.
Attorney-General Guy Barnett welcomed the change:
“Every single Tasmanian deserves to be treated with respect, no matter who they are or where they come from. I cannot emphasise more strongly, there is no place in our modern society for any type of crime, let alone crimes motivated by prejudice, bias or hate.”
Stronger Protections Against Hate
The legislation also introduces a new requirement for courts to consider whether a victim was targeted due to vulnerability or personal circumstances, ensuring sentencing reflects the seriousness of hate-motivated crimes.
Advocacy groups praised the move as a milestone for LGBTQIA+ Tasmanians.
Rodney Croome, spokesperson for Equality Tasmania, said:
“Unanimous support in Parliament for these provisions sends the message that hate-motivated crimes against LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians are as serious and as unacceptable as other forms of hate crime. Too often courts are blind to the hatred behind attacks, so we applaud all parties for supporting these provisions.”
The amendments will be considered in the Upper House later this month.
Families Granted Access to Coroner’s Reports
In a further step toward justice reform, Parliament also unanimously passed a provision granting bereaved families access to Coroner’s reports about their loved ones.
The issue was highlighted by former Victorian Senator Janet Rice, whose wife, Dr Penny Wheaton, died unexpectedly in Tasmania in 2019. Under existing law, Rice could only have her GP view the post-mortem report, explain its contents, and then destroy it.
Rice described the process as “baffling” and “a slap in the face”.
The reform was passed on the anniversary of Dr Wheaton’s death. Croome congratulated Rice for her persistence, saying:
“This new provision will ease the burden on bereaved partners and their families. Hopefully, it will come as consolation and closure for her family.”
